Northern Ireland’s First Minister has urged the United States to adopt the same critical approach to achieving a ceasefire in the Middle East as it once did to Northern Ireland.
Michelle O’Neill and her power-sharing partner, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, are on a trade mission to Washington, where they will meet President Joe Biden in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
Michelle O’Neill. Picture: PA
The Chief Minister said: “When it comes to middle EastFirst, I will always recognize the constructive role played by the US government in the peace process.
“I don’t think we would have had the Good Friday Agreement without the role of the United States, so we’re grateful for that.
“But I think the same critical, pragmatic approach they applied to the Irish peace process now needs to be applied to the Middle East.”
In their first joint interview since taking office six weeks ago, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister agreed that power-sharing was important in attracting foreign investment.
Emma Little-Pengeri. Image: PA
Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I do think positive joint leadership this week is really important.
“We come here as Irish and Ulster Scots, and those two traditions in America have had a tremendous impact over the centuries, not only in politics and presidents, but also in business and industry. That’s what we want to take advantage of.”
Ms O’Neill said: “We have had a very difficult past but we are a new generation of leaders and I am determined that we are looking to the future and what we can do to improve lives for all.”
Ms Little-Pengelly added: “We are determined to have a good working relationship.
“We know there are huge challenges coming… but by addressing them constructively and building strong relationships, it gives us the best chance of finding solutions.
“Together we are sending a message that we want to focus on the things we can agree on and build consensus on.”
Destroyed buildings can be seen through the windows of a U.S. Air Force plane in Gaza.Photo: AP/Leo Correa
Thick smoke rises after Israeli bombing of Gaza. Image: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
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When asked whether the United States had anything to learn from two women who are sharing power in government before reaching retirement age, they chose their words diplomatically.
Ms O’Neill said: “Domestic politics is about serving the American people. We are relatively young and we can still say that and are determined to lead to the best of our abilities.”
“People have their own opinions about U.S. politics, but I’m going to stay out of it and be self-reliant in terms of the foreign investment goals that we’re trying to achieve.”
Ms Little-Pengelly said: “There is passion and goodwill towards us and Northern Ireland and we want to maximize that enthusiasm for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.
“We can’t grow our economy alone, we need foreign direct investment and we want to make Northern Ireland the prosperous and better place we want it to be.”
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